Department - Author 1
Communication Studies Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BA in Communication Studies
Date
3-2014
Primary Advisor
Julia Woolley
Abstract/Summary
This study investigated how media portrayals of individuals in the lower class affect people’s beliefs about educational hardships in lower socioeconomic areas. Specifically, this study looked at the attributions of these hardships to determine if media consumption had an effect on the internality of attributions. It was hypothesized that increased media consumption would be related to an increased tendency toward internal attributions. It was hypothesized that increased media consumption would lead to lower support for policy changes regarding education. A survey was distributed to assess media consumption habits and attitudes toward educational hardships in the lower class. Correlation results yielded no support for the predicted relationships. However, results showed a nearly significant relationship between number of certain films seen and policy support. Theoretical implications are presented, along with limitations and suggestions for future research.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/comssp/149
Included in
Communication Technology and New Media Commons, Educational Psychology Commons, Educational Sociology Commons, Education Policy Commons, Graphic Communications Commons, Inequality and Stratification Commons, Infrastructure Commons, Mass Communication Commons, Political Theory Commons, Politics and Social Change Commons, School Psychology Commons, Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education Commons, Social Influence and Political Communication Commons, Social Media Commons, Social Policy Commons, Social Statistics Commons, Social Welfare Commons, Statistics and Probability Commons, Theory and Philosophy Commons